Clothing accessory

ABSTRACT

A clothing accessory. The clothing accessory has two halves that are fastenable around a wearer&#39;s waist, with the halves covering the front and back of a person to provide means of protecting a wearer&#39;s dignity. The clothing accessory further provides additional warmth for a wearer. The clothing accessory may also provide means for showing decoration or information. The clothing accessory may be of various lengths, and the two halves may be joined with one or two disconnecting portions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to clothing. More particularly, it relatesto optional outer wear that is used to preserve the dignity and decorumof an individual and a group in certain public settings. The clothingaccessory described herein further provides additional covering forwomen whose legs may be exposed to cool or cold temperatures whileseated in gatherings such as public functions, church and otherceremonial settings, and the like.

The present invention is intended to provide temporary covering forwomen who wear skirts and dresses that, while seated, may expose more oftheir upper and lower legs than they would prefer. Such exposure may notbe desirable for aesthetic and/or comfort purposes. In addition,organizations such as churches and the like may keep a stock of thepresent invention on hand in order to make their parishioners morecomfortable, either by providing additional covering for warmth or bymaintaining the dignity and decorum of solemn events, such as churchservices.

In addition to providing covering, the present invention may alsoincorporate designs and colors intended to indicate a group ororganization. For example, a church choir may utilize the presentinvention for its female members, and the garment would incorporate thedesign and colors of the robes or other ceremonial garments worn by thechoir members so as to compliment the appearance of the group as awhole.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a clothing accessorythat may be worn over existing clothing, and is easily put on orremoved.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a clothingaccessory to be worn by women that is a one- or two-piece garment thatutilizes reusable fasteners.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a garmentaccessory worn over a skirt or dress and which remains in place while auser is in motion, crosses or uncrosses their legs, or rises from asitting position or sits.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a garmentaccessory that compliments or accentuates a group or association uniformor garment.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a garmentaccessory that, while worn over a skirt or dress, may be of varyinglengths up to and including to the ankles/feet of the wearer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view of an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the current invention is shownwith the invention comprising two connectible halves. The invention hasa first half 101, a second half 102, a plurality of first fastenerportions 103 and a plurality of second fastener 104 portions. The firstfastener portions 103 and the second fastener portions 104 arepreferentially constructed of flexible cloth material, and are fastenedto the first and second halves 101 and 102 at the connecting points 110.It will be understood that the fastener portions may be connected to thefirst and second halves 101 and 102 at the connecting points 110 bycommonly used means for fastening fabric together, such as by stitching,ties, buttons, or hook-and-loop type fasteners. If the fastener portions103 and 104 are attached to the first and second halves 101 and 102 bybuttons, hook-and-loop fasteners, or other removable connecting means,the length of the fastener portions 103 and 104 may be adjusted inlength in reference to the first and second halves 101 and 102.

Each of the fastener portions 108 and 109 further consists of fasteningmeans 105 and 106 where the fastening means 105 and 106 are locateddistally to the first and second halves 101 and 102. The fastening meansmay be any commonly understood means for temporarily fastening fabricmaterials together. For example, the fastening means 105 and 106 maycomprise two halves of a hook-and-loop fastener. By preferentiallyutilizing hook-and-loop fastening means 105 and 106, the invention maybe adjusted to fit a variety of body types and sizes, and may be easilyput on and taken off by a wearer. Other fastening means may be used aswell, such as simple ties or button and button eye-hole combinations.While in use, the invention is attached to a person with the first half101 positioned on the front of the person's body and the second half 102positioned on the back of the person's body, with the fastening portions108 and 109 wrapped around the person's waist or middle section so thatthe first and second halves 101 and 102 are positioned over the groinand buttocks area.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an embodiment of the present invention is shownwherein the first half 101 and second half 102 are permanently affixedvia a continuous fastener portion 202 that is affixed to the first andsecond halves 101 and 102 at the connecting points 203. The fastenerportion 202 may further comprise material, such as elastic and the like,that will allow the fastener portion 202 to stretch and contract so asto allow the present invention to be utilized by different sized andshaped wearers.

The first and second halves 101 and 102 have surfaces 111 that faceoutward while the invention is being worn by an individual. The surfaces111 may be utilized for logos, designs, or other decorative orinformative purposes, such as through the addition of religious or othersymbols. While the first and second halves are shown to be flatmaterial, it will be understood that the material may be pleated or haveother forms that are intended to be decorative.

It will be understood that, while the invention is described in detailherein, embodiments exist which are not described herein but which arecovered by and fall within the spirit and the scope of the invention asdescribed.

1. A clothing accessory, the clothing accessory comprising: A firsthalf; A second half; and plurality of fastener portions.
 2. The clothingaccessory of claim 1 wherein the plurality of fastener portions areconstructed of flexible fabric.
 3. The clothing accessory of claim 2wherein the plurality of fastener portions further comprise fasteningmeans using common fastening means chosen from the group includingstitching, ties, buttons, or hook-and-loop type fasteners.
 4. Theclothing accessory of claim 1 wherein the first and second halves areworn by a person around the waist, with the first portion positioned infront of a user's body generally over the groin area while the secondportion is positioned in the back of a user's body generally over thebuttocks area.
 5. The clothing accessory of claim 1 wherein the firstand second half are permanently affixed via a continuous fastenerportion.
 6. The clothing accessory of claim 1 wherein the first andsecond portions have surfaces facing away from a user's body and whereinthe surfaces of the first and second portion that are facing away from auser's body are utilized for logos, designs, or other decorative orinformative purposes.
 7. The clothing accessory of claim 1 wherein thefirst and second portions are pleated.